10 Minute consultation: Tinnitus

An elderly widower complains of ringing in his ears. He denies any associated symptoms. He takes atenolol for hypertension. Tired and anxious, he wants to know what is wrong.

Tinnitus—the sensation of noises in the ears or head not attributable to any perceivable external sound—is common. Is the tinnitus subjective? Uncommon objective tinnitus can be heard by others. The temporomandibular joint, eustachian tube, palate, and carotid artery can produce usually innocent somatosounds.